NL West

Now Commenting On:

Melvin juggling multiple platoons

Email

Print

By Jane Lee
/
MLB.com |

HOUSTON -- Scott Sizemore hasn't played since Wednesday, and there's a chance his next start doesn't come until Tuesday.

Such is the life of a platoon player.

Oakland employs several platoons at the moment, notably at second base and catcher, and with the Astros throwing out three right-handers against the A's this weekend, manager Bob Melvin is faced with a tough task.

Melvin started the right-handed-hitting Derek Norris behind the plate on Saturday, after platoon partner John Jaso started the first game, but Eric Sogard remained at second base for a third straight game, with the right-handed Sizemore remaining on the bench.

"It's a little more difficult when you don't have too many left-handers, so we'll certainly sprinkle Derek in there against some right-handers to keep him current," Melvin said. "Once we get to Anaheim, we get two out of three [left-handed pitchers]. You try not to let them go too long without getting them in there, but like any semi-platoon, when you have two guys to split the job, that's part of the task."

Sizemore will pick up at least two starts against the Angels, it seems, with left-handers C.J. Wilson and Jason Vargas scheduled to start Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Former A's hurler Joe Blanton, a righty, will go Wednesday.

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.